African Swine Fever Inches Closer To The U.S. With Infections In Dominican Republic
A viral outbreak in hogs just off the U.S. coast has U.S. officials ramping up efforts to make sure it doesn’t decimate the American pork industry. African swine fever, an infectious and lethal virus for pigs, has been detected in the Dominican Republic — the closest it’s been to the U.S. in 40 years. The […]
School Summer Food Programs Are A Pandemic Idea That Lasted
AMBOY — Boxes of fresh produce line cafeteria tables inside an elementary school in Amboy, Illinois. Toni Fassig just finished setting up the summer food program and families are starting to trickle in. “Good morning! Half a watermelon per family,” she says, getting pre-made meal kits ready to send out. “Do you want Bosco stick […]
Tyson Foods Recalls 8.5 Million Pounds Of Chicken Over Listeria Concerns
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – Tyson Foods Inc., one of the largest food manufacturers in the country, is recalling more than 8-million of pounds of chicken products after illnesses and one death linked to Listeria. On Sunday, the US Department of Agriculture issued a press release. It states the frozen, fully cooked chicken products were produced between […]
The People Who Pick America’s Fruits And Vegetables Are Getting Older
The average age of farmworkers born outside the U.S. steadily increased from 2008 to 2019, while the average age of U.S.-born workers has stayed about the same over the same period. Foreign-born farmworkers are on average 5 years older than their U.S.-born counterparts. An analysis by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Environmental Research Service attributes the […]
For Farmland Conservation, It Comes Down To Who Owns It
TOLONO — Lin Warfel puts farmland owners in central Illinois into two categories: Those with a deep connection and desire to preserve their land, and those obsessed with short-term money. The 80-year-old still owns the land that’s been in his family since his great-grandfather arrived in Champaign County in the 1800’s. After farming it […]
Electronic Tracking Of Livestock Has Many Opponents In The US
Using electronic tags to track livestock is widespread in Europe. Proponents say it helps prevent and contain food-borne illnesses, but the idea is…
More Farmers Are Planting Cover Crops Thanks To State Incentive Programs
Last month, the Illinois Department of Agriculture opened applications for its second annual Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program — which provides a…
‘It Was An Incredible Experience’: U of I Professor Tapped By Biden Administration To Transition USDA
URBANA – A University of Illinois professor helped the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) transition from the Trump to the new Biden-Harris administration. Jonathan Coppess is one of hundreds of people — including researchers, professors and scientists — who volunteered their time on the effort. Coppess, an assistant professor within the U of I’s agriculture […]
Rural Towns Across The Country Struggle To Keep Water Clean
Cheryl LeFevre doesn’t drink the water in Hobart, Oklahoma without a filter. Without a filter, sometimes the water smells like chlorine or rust….
Farm Income Up This Year, Mostly Thanks To Uncle Sam
Balance sheets for farms may look better at the end of 2020 than they have in years. That’s according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest…
‘Incredibly Unlikely’ China Will Meet Its Trade Targets, Expert Says
It’s been almost ten months since the signing of the first phase of a trade agreement between the United States and China. In the lofty deal, China…
‘Either I Risk It All Or Nothing At All’: Migrant Workers’ Need To Work Outweighs COVID-19 Concerns
On the outskirts of Rantoul, in east-central Illinois, about 100 migrant farmworkers are living at an old hotel in a sleepy part of town. Every day at…
Farmers Are Getting Another Round Of Coronavirus Aid, But USDA Hasn’t Fully Spent The First One
At a campaign rally in Wisconsin last week, President Trump announced U.S. farmers will receive an additional $14 billion in coronavirus relief aid….
In An Autumn Of Uncertainties, More Kids Can Rely On Free School Lunches
As the new school year gets underway, some students are in classrooms and others are at home but one thing is now clear: all kids can get free school…
New Limits On Free Meals For Kids Concern Illinois School Officials
CHAMPAIGN – Some Illinois school officials are upset that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has not extended waivers that would allow districts to continue serving free meals to all students under 18 years of age. In a typical school year, students must meet specific criteria to qualify for the USDA-operated National School Lunch Program. Families […]